Surname Whellock - Meaning and Origin

Whellock: What does the surname Whellock mean?

The name Whellock is of English origin and is believed to be derived from a place name. It is likely derived from the Old English words 'Hwel', meaning 'whale', and 'oc', meaning 'oak'. The name could refer to a place near a hill covered with oak trees or surrounded by a river or lake where whales may have been seen.

The name was likely first found in Devon, where it was recorded in 1296 as 'Hwellec'. In Suffolk it was noted as a surname around 1361 as 'de Wellek'. In Lancashire it was recorded as 'de Wyllock' in 1545.

Whellock is an uncommon name in the United States, with just a few families carrying it in the present day. It is a very old name, one which can be traced back to the 13th century in Britain. The presence of so few families suggests that the name is a rare variation which has been lost over time, as many older names like this tend to do.

The greatest concentration of Whellock families is found in contemporary records in the United Kingdom, with other family members scattered throughout Canada and the United States. It is likely that the name originated with a single ancestor from Britain, or possibly elsewhere in Europe.

Though the meaning of Whellock may be unknown, it is believed to be linked to a place name and likely dates back to the 13th century. The name is extremely rare, likely due to the fact that it has changed over time, the meaning of which has been lost in the process.

Whellock: Where does the name Whellock come from?

The last name Whellock is of English origin and is most commonly found today in the United States. Its early origins trace back to the Old English word 'hwealle,' meaning "outer wall" or "enclosed land." This likely referred to the location a family of this name occupied in medieval England, near a wall or enclosure.

Whellock families can be found in England, Canada, Australia, and throughout the United States. In the U.S., it is concentrated in the regions of California, Texas, and Florida. It can also be found in the states of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio. Whellock is a relatively rare surname; according to the US Census, it is the 16,755th most common name in the US.

The Whellock family name is associated with the motto "Truth will out." This motto is derived from the Old English words 'gewylan truth,' which translated to 'to prove or declare the truth.' This was likely a simple expression of the individuals and families who bore this name, to uphold the truth and let truth be their guide.

Variations of the surname Whellock

The surname Whellock has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Wheelock, Wheelelock, Wheellock, Wheeloch, Whelloch, Wheldock, Weldock, and Wheelick.

Wheelock is the most commonly spelled variant of the surname Whellock and is the most widely spread of all the spellings. It is believed to have originated in England in the late medieval period and most Wheelock families can be found in the UK and Scotland.

Wheelelock, Wheellock, Wheeloch, Whelloch, Wheldock, and Weldock are all variations on the Wheelock spelling and are used in various parts of North America. The Wheelock spelling can also be found in Europe, particularly in Swedish, French, and German records.

Wheelick is the least common variant and is mainly found in the United States and Canada. It may be a corruption of the surname Wheelock, or may have its own separate origin.

The Whellock surname is an ancient one and its multiple variants are evidence of its long and interesting history. While there may be different spellings and surnames of the same origin, all variations of Whellock ultimately share a common ancestral roots.

Famous people with the name Whellock

• Drew Whellock: Actor known for his roles in commercials and television shows such as the Netflix series "You" and the YouTube series "Chasing Life".
• Gunter Whellock: American professional wrestler, trained by John Cena and later signed by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
• Huey Whellock: Former professional basketballer who played for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA for six seasons.
• Ally Whellock: Canadian professional figure skater who has won bronze at the 2009 World Championships, silver at the 2010 Four Continents Championships, and won gold at the 2012 and 2014 World Championships.
• Leslie Whellock: Award-winning singer-songwriter from California, known for her popular debut single "Breaking Promise".
• Ryan Whellock: British filmmaker and director whose work has been featured in Cannes Film Festival.
• Anna Whellock: American model and fashion designer who gained fame for her award-winning collaborations with Stella McCartney, Hermès, and Alexander McQueen.
• Tanya Whellock: Professional acrobat and Cirque du Soleil soloist.
• Carly Whellock: Australian actress and film producer, best known for her role in the critically acclaimed series, "The Slap".
• Margot Whellock: Australian author, poet, and documentary filmmaker whose works are displayed in the National Gallery of Australia.

Other surnames

Whellour